Disclaimer: I do not own Les Miserables, the novel or the musical, both of which are amazing.

Title: The Note

Summary: Enjolras has never been fond of the female affection thrown his way. Yet, he finds himself strangely compelled when he discovers an anonymous note in his pocket. Who was the one to put it there? And, when he discovers the truth, will he then be able to convince her that he is indeed the one the note was intended for?

Author's Note: I foresee the end ahead. I believe it will happen in the next two chapters. I like the little twist that is in this chapter. I hope you all do, too. ^.^

Chapter 9 – Truth

Enjolras strode with determination toward the Café Musain. The expression on his face had chased away a few acquaintances that had intended to stop him along the way. He wasn't about to be deterred. There was something he needed to do and it was foremost on his list. There was one person he needed to see and he wouldn't be sidetracked.

He went straight in, ignoring the looks and greetings from the other regulars and barmaids. He stomped toward the back table where his friends were gathered, exchanging jests and light conversation. His eyes locked on Marius, who was standing up enjoying a laugh.

"Enjolras," Grantaire said, seeing him approaching quite swiftly, "what are y-"

But anything else was cut off, for Enjolras instantly grabbed Marius by the front of his shirt and shoved him backward until a wall stopped his momentum.

"Enjolras, what are you doing?" Combeferre interjected, surprised by the sudden violence.

"What did you say to her?" Enjolras demanded, ignoring everyone else in the room.

"What are you talking about?" Marius asked, his hands up innocently.

"Eponine. What new information has come to light to make her want to reassess the situation?"

Marius shook his head. "What makes you think I said anything to her?"

Enjolras glared at him directly in the eye, boring into him. "Am I wrong?"

Marius sighed. "I had to make sure."

"Make sure of what, Marius?" There was the sound of exhaustion and defeat in his voice now, which had never been heard before. It was clear that he was tired of these games. So he released Marius and took a weary step back. "You know that you will always have a place in Eponine's heart. You will always be able to sway her. So why would you do this just when she is beginning to allow me in, as well? You never loved Eponine in the first place, not like I do. You already have someone else. So why?"

His words were moving, that was for certain. But, Enjolras had never had a problem with getting his point across in a passionate manner. He fell into an open chair, his legs unable to hold him up any longer. He began to have doubts himself now, since all the world seemed to be against Eponine and him.

Marius chuckled, but it merely sounded awkward in the intense silence. "You've got it all wrong, Enjolras."

"Stop being so cryptic," Enjolras replied miserably. "It doesn't become you."

Marius slid into a seat across from him and placed his hands on the table in a very business-like manner. "You want me to be straightforward? Well, here it goes. I do not have a romantic interest in Eponine. Despite my behavior, it was never my intention to attempt to interfere with your affairs."

"Then what has all of this been about?"

Enjolras was becoming more and more confused by the second. He had sought answers from Marius and instead he was getting more riddles. It was very frustrating.

"Did you ever question how that note got into your coat pocket?" Marius smiled slyly. "I know you, Enjolras. I know that was the first thing you did. Eponine denied all knowledge of it. She said it was meant for me—that she had put it in my pocket."

Enjolras shook his head in disbelief. "How do you know all of this? Did she tell you?"

"She didn't have to." Marius paused for dramatic effect, and to make sure that Enjolras understood all of this. "I'm the one that took the note Eponine had placed into my pocket and slipped it into yours."

Enjolras allowed this to sink in for a moment. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or even angrier than before. He had no clue what Marius' intentions were for doing such a thing. He felt a bit betrayed and very confused.

"Why?" he finally muttered, unable to go any further before receiving an answer. "Why would you do something like that?"

Marius chuckled again. "You should be thanking me, Enjolras! I brought you two together."

"Together, Marius?" Enjolras' voice began to steadily rise. "How can I even be sure what I feel for her is real now? It was all a set up. It was all a lie."

"It wasn't," Marius fought. "All I did was plant the seed. The rest of it was all you. Well, both of you."

Enjolras shook his head, not even wanting to look at his friend at the moment. "Does Eponine know?"

"No," he replied quietly. "You're the only one."

"Good. Don't." Enjolras sighed. "She doesn't need to know."

"But-" Marius was about to say, but Enjolras stood up swiftly, the chair screeching against the floorboards.

"No, Eponine is never to know," Enjolras said adamantly. "I don't want her to know that you arranged this. You set this up. And, she is not to know that I know these things."

"What?"

They heard a feminine gasp toward the main room of the café. Enjolras spun around, his heart racing in his chest. There she was, Eponine, standing within earshot, coming in at the worst possible time of the conversation. Her face had paled and her eyes looked horror-stricken, pained. Immediately Enjolras moved toward her, wanting to comfort her and explain everything that she might have just overheard.

"Eponine," he breathed, reaching a hand out to her.

"Don't touch me," she hissed, recoiling.

"What are you doing here?" he tried to play off.

Her eyes darted from Enjolras to Marius, as if they couldn't stand still. "I-I came to speak to Marius. I wanted to tell him face-to-face that I've had a change of heart. But…" She trailed off, obviously unsure.

"How much did you hear?" Marius asked softly.

"Enough."

"It's not what it sounds like," Enjolras insisted quickly, hoping to change her mind.

She met his eyes with a ferocity in her gaze, instantly causing him to fall silent. "Then what is it, Enjolras?" When he didn't immediately answer, intimidated by her look, she continued. "It sounds like I've been made a fool of, and it sounds like both of you knew." She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. "Listen, this whole incident has been nothing but a mess. Just forget this ever happened."

She pivoted on her heel and instantly departed.

It wasn't until after she was gone from sight that Enjolras spun on Marius, scowling. "This is all your fault. Now she'll never know-"

"Know what, Enjolras?" Marius shot right back. "That your feelings are, in fact, genuine?"

Enjolras bowed his head, pondering. "Yes," he whispered. Without another word, he, too, exited the café.